6 things to consider when buying a watch

A watch is a practical companion that also complements and expresses its wearer’s style. There are many manufacturers and designs, and taste is subjective, but a few things are worth considering before buying. Below, Käekellad.ee outlines six things to consider when choosing a watch. None proves quality on its own; what matters is that the watch suits how you will use it.

Note (2026): the article’s text has been clarified. The video gives simplified recommendations on some points; where it differs from the text, follow the text.

1. Choose the shape to suit your taste, but consider servicing. Shape alone does not make a watch more durable: durable, water-resistant watches come with round and square cases, such as the Casio G-Shock DW-5600. Replacing a round crystal is usually easier and cheaper than replacing a specially shaped one.

2. Check the case material. Stainless steel is a durable, common choice. Check the product page for the case material itself, not just the back: ‘stainless steel back’ often refers only to the case back. Titanium is lighter than steel; resin and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, used on many G-Shocks, are light and shock-resistant. Each material suits different uses.

3. Make sure the dial is easy to read. Do not buy a watch that makes the time difficult to see. Remember that you may want to glance at your watch in the theatre or at dusk; luminescent hands or a backlight help here. A watch you have to struggle to read is little more than a bracelet.

4. Choose the crystal to suit your use. Sapphire crystal is highly scratch-resistant and stays clear for years, but can break under a strong impact. Mineral crystal withstands impacts well, but scratches more easily. Plastic, or acrylic, crystal scratches most easily, but is light and does not shatter into shards. Sapphire suits a dress watch, while mineral or acrylic crystal may be more practical for a sports watch.

5. Check the case back and water resistance. A threaded, or screw-down, case back is common on watches with higher water resistance and makes the seal easy to replace. A watch with a snap-on case back can also have good water resistance, so focus on the rating and the uses permitted by the manufacturer. Read more in our article on watch water resistance.

6. Find out which movement the watch uses. A watch can be quartz, automatic or solar-powered; find the differences in the article automatic, quartz or solar-powered. The ‘Swiss made’ marking means a watch meets the origin requirements set by Swiss law: a Swiss movement, assembly and final inspection in Switzerland, and at least 60% of production costs incurred there. ‘Made in Germany’ is an origin marking without equally specific requirements. Neither replaces the specifications of the particular model. For a more substantial purchase, be sure to study the movement specifications.

For help choosing the right size, also see the guide how to choose watch size and strap length. See the full range in the Käekellad.ee online shop.